After suffering a 3-0 loss to France in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the USA Men’s Soccer took to the pitch on Saturday against New Zealand in Marseille.
Heading into a match where three points were crucial for either side, the Americans came out on top, defeating New Zealand 4-1. For the first time in history, U.S. Men’s Soccer scored four goals for the first time ever in an Olympic match.
With the win, the USA has put itself in a strong position to hopefully qualify for the knockout stages.
Here is how Saturday’s match unfolded:
USA vs. New Zealand
The Americans wasted no time in getting the goal-scoring started. The first Olympic goal for the U.S. in 5,827 days, Djordje Mihaolovic gave his team the lead from the penalty spot in the 8′.
Philadelphia Union right-back Nathan Harriel was fouled in the box and Colorado Rapids midfielder Mihaolovic converted on the penalty opportunity.
Just four minutes later, 31-year-old Nashville SC center-back Walker Zimmerman doubled the lead for the Americans. Again, Harriel found himself in the box on the set piece, leading to Zimmerman finding the back of the net.
After just 12 minutes of play, the Americans found themselves in a comfortable position.
New Zealand started to create chances after Zimmerman’s goal and even found themselves close to cutting the deficit to one. A shot from outside the box saw American goalkeeper Patrick Schulte dive in the opposite direction, but the Columbus Crew keeper managed to keep his composure on the ball to make a big save.
Gianluca Busio tripled the lead for the Americans in the 30′. The Venezia FC midfielder received a pass in the box, had his first shot attempt blocked, but then capitalized on the rebound. Busio’s excitement ended rather quickly, as he was subbed off in the 37′ after sustaining an injury. Union midfielder Jack McGlynn would come into the match to replace Busio.
Entering the second half, the Americans didn’t take their foot off the gas. McGlynn nearly scored in the early stages of the half, but his attempt was saved.
In the 58′, former Union player Paxten Aaronson scored the fourth goal for the Americans. Aaronson’s goal marked history for USA Men’s Soccer as it was the first time that four goals were scored in one match.
New Zealand eventually found a goal in the 78′. Jesse Randall found space in the box and fired a shot into the top right corner, but it was too little, too late. Schulte lost his clean sheet, but the Americans would walk away with a huge win and three points.
New Zealand would finish with 52.2% possession compared to the American’s 47.8%, but couldn’t keep up on the scoresheet.
Group A Standings:
France: 6 points, +4 goal difference
United States: 3 points, +0 goal difference
New Zealand: 3 points, -2 goal difference
Guinea: 0 points, -2 goal difference
Up Next
The USA will take on Guinea on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
Mandatory Creidt: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
